A goal in first-half injury-time proved to be enough for Sevilla to get a victory against a very heavily rotated Atletico Madrid team, as the Andalusian club climb three points up from the relegation zone.
Luis García Plaza, Sevilla’s third manager of the season, collected his first victory in charge, in his second game, after being hired last month to replace the outgoing Matías Almeyda.
The victory means Sevilla leapfrog Elche, Mallorca and Alavés to go from 18th place to 14th, as an early penalty from Akor Adams was cancelled out by an Atletico equaliser from debutant Javier Bonar, before Nemanja Gudelj headed home the winner to put Sevilla clear of the drop zone.
Atlético remain in 4th place, just one point behind Villareal in 3rd, with Champions League qualification still relatively safe, although they played a heavily rotated side with a Champions League quarter-final second leg on Tuesday against Barcelona, as well as a Copa del Rey final next Saturday.
Team News
Sevilla manager Luis García made four changes, as Gudelj came in for the suspended Tanguy Nianzou, with Lucien Agoumé and Manu Bueno replacing Batista Mendy and Djibril Sow. Additionally, Chidera Ejuke made way for Isaac Romero in the attacking line.
Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone made six changes ahead of their Champions League quarter final second leg against Barcelona. In defense, Marc Pubill, Clément Lenglet, and Boñar replaced Robin Le Normand, Nahuel Molina, and Dávid Hancko. Whilst Álex Baena, Thiago Almada, and Alexander Sørloth returned to the lineup for Antoine Griezmann, Julián Álvarez, and Ademola Lookman.
Story of the Match
It took the home side less than nine minutes to take the lead, as a long VAR review eventually awarded them a penalty, allowing Adams to slot home from the spot and put Sevilla in front.
Atletico Madrid had their equaliser on the half-hour mark, when academy left-back Julio Díaz looped a cross into the box, before academy right-back Boñar ran onto it, heading the ball into the far corner.
Sevilla then regained their lead just before half-time, when Gudelj found space inside the box from a right sided corner, before thumping his header past goalkeeper Juan Musso and into the roof of the net.
The hosts could have scored a third on the hour mark, when Romero smashed his powerful shot against the post, but instead managed to hold on for a 2-1 victory and three very important points.
